Two Farmington women charged in animal cruelty case: One faces 13 counts, other a single count

Wednesday

Sep 12, 2012 at 3:15 AMSep 14, 2012 at 9:44 AM

By Samantha Allen sallen@fosters.com

FARMINGTON — Police reported Tuesday afternoon they arrested two women in connection with a severe animal cruelty case local officials referred to as one of the worst they have seen in years.

Shirley M. Patch, 59, of 576 Chestnut Hill Road, was charged with 12 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and Caroline Wilkins, 40, of the same address, was charged with one count, for 13 neglected animals taken into custody from that property on Sunday, Sept. 2.

According to Police Chief Kevin Willey, the animals — five horses, one miniature horse, one pony, two goats, two dogs and two chickens — were found malnourished and in varying degrees of health.

Willey explained each of the 13 counts represents each animal, and Wilkins was responsible only for Dolly, a 32-year-old chestnut horse. Dolly is currently in the care of the New Hampshire Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Stratham, along with the other rescued animals. Volunteers there reported Dolly weighs just 500 pounds, as compared to normal weights of 1,000 to 1,200 pounds.

The recovered horses, identified as three mares, one gelding and one stallion, are visibly emaciated, with hip, ribs and spine bones protruding under their coats. One of the mares may be lame on at least two legs.

A brown and white Pinto pony named Rosey, along with a miniature horse named Chip, a Rottweiler and German shepherd dog, additionally all show signs of malnutrition.

The Rottweiler appears to have suffered muscle wasting as well and had an eye infection when he was transported to Stratham. The two underfed chickens were also found sharing a tiny pen with little or no room to move or lie down, according to police.

NHSPCA Executive Director Lisa Dennison previously told Foster's two of the rescued horses — Dell, a white horse in her mid-20s, with Tonka, her four-year-old colt — were taken into protective custody from the same owners in January 2010. She told a reporter earlier that day she and her staff would be relieved when they heard charges had come forward.

"The animals are stabilizing. They're doing OK and they're just beginning the long journey of recovery," Dennison said. "As soon as charges are brought forward, we will certainly look forward to that time, knowing the case has come to a resolution, whatever that might be."

Willey added the women arrested were the ones solely responsible for the animals' care and well-being.

"Based upon the investigation, these are the owners and custodians of the animal," he said. "It was incumbent upon them to properly care for the animals, and they failed to do so."

Willey could not confirm the women's relation to one another, besides living at the same address, before press time on Tuesday. He previously told Foster's he does not believe the alleged suspects intentionally meant to harm the animals; rather they did not have the "resources or capabilities" to care for them.

NHSPCA Farm Animal Coordinator Suzanne Bryant, working closely with the rescued animals, said since the recession took severe effect in 2009, she has seen more and more horses left to starve as people feel they can no longer afford to take care of them.

Jessica Mitchell, a Farmington resident and acquaintance of the Wilkins' family, said she was very surprised to hear about the animals at the Chestnut Hill Road property, with a makeshift stable authorities described as an "inadequate shelter" for the animals.

"It concerns me. It upset me ¿ I'm looking at (the news) and I'm in awe," she said, adding she does not believe the women intended to harm their beloved animals. "They really do love their animals ¿ I feel horrible for them because I know they're trying, but at the same time ¿ if I knew, if I had a hint of it, of the neglect, I would have called and asked someone to go take a look."

Willey reported last week a witness who previously owned one of the horses visited the property in late August and saw the animals in a state of despair and starvation. Police said the witness emailed photographs to a local veterinarian to review. Shortly after, Animal Control Officer Kate Koval launched an investigation on Wednesday, Aug. 29, that led to the Sept. 4 seizure.

Willey said all the animals were removed and transported to a Stratham SPCA based on their condition at the time.

Dennison said today all the animals are stable, with no reports of any of them "crashing" or in a life-threatening state. She added the horses, separated by pens, have been heard whinnying and crying out for one another, but they finally seem to be settling into their new surroundings.

"(This) road to recovery, ¿ it's going to take months. It's not something that will happen in a few days," she said. "They have hundreds of pounds to gain overtime and it needs to be a slow, gradual process. They are being well-cared for and we are optimistic for the outcome."

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